Sharing is Good Karma:

Rajasthan, the land of immense cultural heritage is calling out for help. The ongoing pandemic has badly hit each and every sector of the world. Being a state which is largely dependent on tourism, millions are now jobless and struggling to survive. Of them, the folk artists are unfortunately the most affected.

Though the artists of Rajasthan rely heavily on tourism, they also perform in festivals, and special gatherings to earn a living. This very reliance has left them particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. The safety norms of coronavirus have affected tourism and stopped all forms of mass gatherings to maintain social distancing. As a result, they have been forced to abandon their vocations simply to feed themselves and their children as the market collapses. They have resorted to daily wage labor, small jobs, and even begging. Yet not everyone can possibly go down to the streets and beg. It is a matter of self-respect.

“We may die of hunger but we will never beg. Make us dance, make us sing, we can do that all day. We may sleep hungry, but how can we let our children starve?” questions a folk dancer expressing her anguish and misery.

Over the last six months, the artists have had no work, their bookings have been canceled, they haven’t been paid, and now they are facing a dark and uncertain future as the pandemic stretches on.

“We have performed across generations. This is our occupation and now it is gone. My son asks me to get some bread, some food. Where will I get them?” asked a Rajasthani folk singer.

These communities of folk artists have been the carriers and keepers of Rajasthan’s ancestry through their art forms that are alive across generations. The colorful dancers, dhol players, tent makers, ghodiwalas, folk musicians, and artisans of the royal state have been admired by millions serving as an iconic representation of our nation. From a tender age of 4 or 5, these artists build themselves with the art forms right from their homes. They spend countless hours training and dedicate their entire life to their art.

What has befallen them in the virus outbreak is sad and shouldn’t be allowed to happen. They bring us joy when we need it, it’s now time for us to step up and help them.

Praveenlata Sansthan is an NGO based in Jaipur that works for the development and supports local communities including the folk artists of Rajasthan. The NGO is raising donations to provide folk artists in Rajasthan with grocery kits to help feed their families and give them the support to survive and stay healthy.

Their survival is essential for the survival of these ancient arts and the continuance of their culture.

“Watching the artists beg is very humiliating. They carry our culture and heritage. Women and children have starved to the level of getting anemic. All you need to do is donate us and we will make sure to provide these distressed folks with ration kits,” appealed Bharti Singh Chouhan, the founder of the NGO.